What is a stright edge lifestyle?

Answer 1

"Straight edge" is a sub-group of the hardcore scene (hardcore is what punk rock evolved into in the 1980s), who, unlike most other punk/hardcore rockers, abstain from drugs and alcohol. Most do not even smoke cigarettes, I think.

The name "straight edge" came from the lyrics of a Minor Threat song: "I'm a person just like you/But I've got better things to do/Than sit around and **** my head/Hang out with the living dead/Snort white **** up my nose/Pass out at the shows/I don't even think about speed/That's something I just don't need/I've got the straight edge..."

Straight edge was a reaction to the rampant drug use that has always been a part of rock 'n roll, but especially punk rock. Punk rockers tended to eschew the gentler hippie drugs -- hallucinogens like marijuana, LSD, magic mushrooms -- and instead were fond of the most dangerous drugs: speed, cocaine, and heroin. These are highly, highly addictive drugs. Using them almost always leads to misery, and often death too.

Founders of the straight edge movement saw all these people killing themselves with drugs, and, like all punk/hardcore people are prone to do, took things to the opposite extreme. Instead of just, "Hey, maybe we should lay off the hard drugs and stick to beer or pot," it was, "No one should ever do any kind of drug for any reason, ever again." This sentiment resonated with a lot of people, and straight edge was born.

Many of them also believe that it's wrong for people to take prescription drugs. There are even certain extremists who believe that prescription medication shouldn't be taken by people with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

Answer 2

The straight edge lifestyle is a lifestyle that includes not smoking, abusing drugs, or drinking alcohol.

Answer 3

Straight edge is a term typically used in the punk rock subculture. It is used to describe someone who abstains from drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. It is represented by an X symbol.